Interest Groups Research Paper

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Interest group
Group of people with a common goal
Common goal is often to influence public policy
Important part of political participation
Reflect the many different beliefs across the US
Many are hundreds of years old
Number of interest groups has grown since 1960
Number of interest groups with full time lobbyists has also grown
Political action committee (PAC)
Legalized in 1973
Organization that recruits members
Members contribute to campaign
Created by business firm, labor union, trade association, ideological group
Between 1970 and 1990, the number of PACs increased drastically
6 times as many in 1990
1/4th of the PACs in 1990 were ideological
Ideological group numbers have increased recently
Lobbyist
Influences legislation for interest groups …show more content…

People who benefit from if the interest group achieves goal but do not give the interest group money or join
“Ride free on the organization’s efforts” (257)
Incentives are offered to prevent free rider problem
3 types
Solidary
Material
Purposive
Solidary incentives
Incentive to join an organization in order to gain the companionshiop, status, or pleasure that results from membership
Difficult because solidary incentives result from face to face contact
National organizations must organize into smaller local units
Importance of local government makes organizing into smaller groups easier in the US than in Europe
National staff pursues larger goals while smaller groups pursue local goals
Material incentives
Incentive to join an organization in order to gain the money, things, and services that result
Example: Illinois Farm Bureau
Buy farm supplies at discounted prices, market products through cooperatives, and purchase low cost insurance
Illinois Farm bureau has enrolled almost every farmer in illinois as well as non farmers who desired the material incentives
Another example is the American Association of Retired Persons
Low-cost life insurance and discounted drugs
¼ registered voters belong to AARP
Purposive

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